RESOURCES

PresPoll #1 Results: Biggest Preservation Win & Loss in 2015

Our first PresPoll #1 survey launched on March 15, 2016. We asked two open-ended questions: What was 2015’s biggest preservation win and biggest preservation loss. Answers ranged from specific building addresses to tax credit programs to the loss of Syrian monuments.

We mapped site-specific responses within the US, which you can see below. Red represents losses while teal represents wins, and larger circles represent more than one response for that site.

For example, two or more survey respondents identified the Pullman Historic District in Chicago as a win and the Greystone Park Psychiatric Center in New Jersey as a loss. Other responses were not site-specific and included the Tennessee Preservation Act and expansion of Georgia’s rehab tax credit as wins, and Indiana’s blight elimination legislation and Palmyra, Syria as losses.

Our PresPolls launch on the 15th of every month with a new question as well as results from the previous month’s survey. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to participate!

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Also from the fall publication of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions is this article on preservation's potential role in addressing the housing affordability crisis. This comes from a session at the NAPC's conference last summer in Des Moines by Briana Grosicki, Donovan Rypkema and Sam Ericson. ... See more

"Local preservation commissions have identified, protected, and enhanced heritage resources for architectural, cultural, aesthetic, symbolic, and other reasons. The time has come to begin protecting “old stuff” for affordable housing." Donovan D. Rypkema of PlaceEconomics presents a compelling case for historic preservation as a key part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis. Learn more in the latest issue of The Alliance Review or follow the link below... https://napcommissions.org/wp-content/uploads/Donovan-Rypkema-Article.pdf ... See more

Last week we released our Saratoga Springs city study. Here is one of our #favoritefindings: Historic districts are productive for the future of Saratoga Springs. Not only are 22% of jobs located in historic districts--despite making up just 6% of land area--but they are home to new and small businesses. 31% of jobs at small firms and 46% of jobs at young firms are found in historic districts. Historic districts and buildings attract small and start-up businesses because of the character of the building, the variety of spaces and sizes available, and because older structures often have more competitive rents. This vibrant business atmosphere is further evidenced by the fact that the historic districts boast 6 jobs per acre as compared to 1 job per acre in the rest of the city. ... See more

Ongoing positive coverage of our recent report on the economics of historic preservation in Saratoga Springs, New York. Our collaborator in the project, Samantha Bosshart, did a great job summarizing the findings and putting them into a local context. ... See more

The designation of local historic districts has always been controversial in Saratoga Springs.

Here is an article from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions' publication, Alliance Review Fall 2018. It is about the challenges that preservation faces in a growing city like Raleigh, NC. Written by Don Davis, chair of the local commission, it talks about the Preservation Tool Kit we prepared for the City of Raleigh. If you want to read the whole report you can find it here: http://www.placeeconomics.com/resources/raleigh-historic-preservation-toolkit/ ... See more

Raleigh, North Carolina's population has more than quadrupled since 1960. Home to three major research universities and an IBM facility, Raleigh is now recognized as the number one place tech staffers would like to live, a top ten city for grads just starting out, and a top ten city for economic growth and opportunity. How is Raleigh's preservation community responding to these development pressures? Don Davis, Chair of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission, discusses this fascinating topic in the The Alliance Review Fall 2018 Issue. You can also find the article here. Bursting at the Seams: Development Pressure and Community Response https://napcommissions.org/wp-content/uploads/Don-Davis-Article.pdf ... See more

Another great city study in the books. The city of Saratoga Springs has been well known as a popular resort destination for over 200 years, drawing visitors with its European-style spas and historic Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sports venue in the country. Read our report to learn more about how historic resources contribute to the character and economy of Saratoga Springs for residents and visitors alike.

http://www.placeeconomics.com/resources/saratoga-springs-enhancing-the-values-through-historic-preservation/ ... See more

This week, Donovan is in Saratoga Springs, NY presenting on the findings of our recent city study. At a population of just under 30,000 people, Saratoga Springs is the smallest city where we’ve investigated the impact of historic preservation. With similar projects in Nashville and Los Angeles currently underway, we will have completed ten city studies since 2013! Where should we study next? ... See more

A real loss to the historic preservation world. I was so pleased every time Cathy invited me to do something in Portland. Her leadership in recognizing the under-recognized heritage assets was recognized throughout the country. ... See more

Cathy Galbraith at the Architectural Heritage Center, whose careful restoration she led and oversaw from 1994-2005. Photo by Lincoln Barbour, 2009. It is with sorrow that we announce the death of Cathy Galbraith, founding director of the Bosco-Milligan Foundation. We are saddened that the preservati... ... See more

This year PlaceEconomics had some great clients, most of whom have been willing to let us share the studies/reports we did for them more widely. We'll be linking to some of them over the next week or so. Here is the preservation impact study we did for Miami-Dade County. You can download it here. http://www.placeeconomics.com/resources/enhancing-paradise-the-impacts-of-historic-preservation-on-miami-dade-county/ ... See more

Its the holiday season and end-of-the-year push for nonprofits! The Preservation Action Foundation online silent auction is on-going until Friday, November 23rd at noon. They have great travel stays, unique items, conference registrations, even hands-on preservation classes to bid on. These would make great Christmas gifts for friends/family/colleagues. Our Director of Research, Briana Grosicki, serves on their board.

Place bids at https://www.32auctions.com/PAFgoldrush18. Its easy and quick to sign up and bid on the items.

Conferences in Florida, Ohio, classes in Minnesota and the National Preservation Institute.

A limited edition Tiny Jane Doll, design services by Current 120, and even a tour package to Restore Oregon's Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, and many other items! ... See more

Thanks everyone for a great PAF Live Auction and After Party at #PastForward18! And a special thank you to all of sponsors and donors who helped make it possible.

Did you miss out on our live auction? There's still time to participate in PAF's online silent auction. Bid on one-of-kind experiences, travel packages, and unique gift items today! Bidding ends on Friday at 12pm ET. https://www.32auctions.com/PAFgoldrush18 ... See more